Karilyn Bentley's Blog, page 38

Buns and Roses Literary Tea for Literacy After a long sum...

Buns and Roses Literary Tea for Literacy
After a long summer spent with my nose to the writing grindstone, I’m ready for a little fun. And a little hat wearing. 


This Sunday will mark the third year that I have participated in a local charity event known as Buns & Roses Tea to benefit the Richardson Adult Literacy Center. Literacy is a cause that is near and dear to most writers’ hearts—without a literate population, we have no readers. This years Buns & Roses will feature 25 authors, it is a wonderful afternoon full of fun, meeting readers and making new friends. And I’ll have my own fan-girl moment—this year's acclaimed historical romance author, Cathy Maxwell, will deliver the keynote address. 

But honestly, all altruism aside, for me it’s all about the hats. I am entirely convinced that tea tastes better when one is wearing a hat—the sillier the better. (I have tested this theory both at high tea at the Ritz Carlton, and at Buns & Roses.) The first year I attended, I wore a simple black feather fascinator. Last year I decided I needed to up the ante, and MADE my own over-the-top fascinator of brightly colored butterflies. This year I am faced with a choice: a gorgeous full hat with curling pheasant feathers for fall, or a peacock feather bedecked fascinator. 


What do you think, readers? Which hat should I choose? And what kind of hat would you choose to wear if we were to have an imaginary Plotting Princesses High Tea?

Why Can’t We All Just Get Along: Readers versus Writers

There has been so much discussion lately about readers trashing writers that I wanted to take today to jump in and say how much I appreciate my readers. Without you, I would still be writing, but there would be no one who relates to my point of view. No one who enjoyed my characters and my story. I need you.Let’s face it, a writer can’t help but put a big chunk of herself in a novel. I have received some of the nicest reviews and yes, they affect me emotionally. I’ve had readers make me feel wonderful with tears of joy and occasionally comments that left me frustrated.
As a writer, I want to spend my time focusing on the next story, not on whether or not the book was formatted correctly or even whether or not all the commas are in the right spots. (I hate commas, I truly do.) I’m interested in getting the movie that is playing in my head down on the page. I pay people to format the book correctly, and I pay a free-lance editor to make certain all those pesky commas land in the right spot.When Amazon sends me a notice saying someone said there is an error on page 1374, I take it seriously. I make the changes and upload the book again. But there is a small part of me that wonders…did you do this when it was a New York Publisher?Another thing that frustrates me as a writer is when I receive a one rating because the book had sex in it. Really? You read the book to the end, but because the fictional characters had pre-marital sex you’re giving me a one. Do you know how that affects my rankings on Amazon? Did you realize that if my rankings become too low, I will be turned down by advertising companies? The algorhithms (the God in the machine at Amazon) will make my book harder for readers to find? That my sales will suffer?When I receive a low review, I check to see what kind of reviews that person has given before. You’d be amazed how many negative reviews some people will give. It’s like they enjoy trashing romance and authors. There will be ten negative reviews and then one or two positive ones. It makes me wonder if they’re just not negative people. Personally, that’s when your review goes into the box labeled not worth remembering.I’m not saying don’t give me an honest review. If you think the book was crap, then say so in a nice way.Overall, I think 99% of my readers are wonderful and appreciate my characters and my writing. When I receive valid criticism, I try to apply those comments to my current writing so that I will change, grow and become even better. I want you to enjoy and anticipate the next Sylvia McDaniel book. I want to write great stories. But I’m human and there will be mistakes that at least six pairs of eyes missed.Sometimes I think that because we only see text on a page, that it’s okay for us as readers and even writers, to leave horrible reviews. That’s not really a person there, that’s only text. Cyber bullying has taken the place of schoolyard bullying, and Goodreads and Amazon have become the new hangout where it’s a free for all. Tell that author she can’t string together two sentences and that she repeats herself over and over. Tell that reader she isn’t being fair and doesn’t know what she’s talking about. As a human being who lives on this great planet, I want to say to people…try a little kindness. If we all were kinder to one another wouldn’t the world be a better place? Some people enjoy making people feel bad. As a reader, I’m sure you’ve had your feelings hurt before or someone has made you feel bad. As a writer, I’ve experienced those emotions as well. Lets all step back and remember that there are humans connected with these books who have feelings, emotions and dreams. Kindness will get you so much further in life.
Just for today go out and make another human being feel good. Even if you don’t like the book, leave an honest, nice review that could simply say, “This book was not my kind of romance.” We all have different tastes. A book I love, you could hate, but that doesn’t mean trash the author.
Again, I appreciate every one of my readers, even the ones that gave me a low score. You took the time to buy my book and leave me a review. Thank you and may you find an author who you love and can’t put their book down. Isn’t that what we’re all looking for, a good story?  
Now let’s all hold hands and sing Kumbaya. So tell me how many good reviews do you leave compared to how many bad ones? 
 



Sylvia McDaniel has fourteen books on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Smashwords. She just hit number one in the historical and western categories on Amazon. The Christmas Bride will be out November 5. You can preorder this book at http://amzn.to/16TEYmP

Top 10 Blogging Questions for YOU

Hello, again, everyone.

Last time I blogged, I questioned whether blogging was on life support. You all responded with a resounding NO! I also told you what I like to see when I'm reading the blogs I personally follow, but I'd like to find out what YOU want to see when you're reading a blog.

What are you looking for? Here are my top 10 questions just for you.

1. Do you prefer more info on writing and craft-related topics or do you tend more toward reader-related stuff like posts on our dogs, vacations, wedding anniversaries, etc.

2. Do you prefer group blogs or are you looking more for individual blog site?

3. Do you follow blogs by your personal favorite authors or is most of your blog reading outside of the author/writer sphere and into other areas of interest?

4. How often do you like to see a blog published? Once a week? Twice a week? Every day?

5. Do you like to see authors post excerpts and/or upcoming scenes from their books? Do you like seeing a separate post whenever a new book is released?

6. Do you prefer an interactive blog where we do things like round robin writing where you as the reader get to participate or would you rather read what others have written?

7. How long do you think a blog post should be? 250 words? 500 word? 1000 words?

8. Do you like blogs to hold contests/giveaways (i.e. copies of books/e-books or gift cards—I'm not talking about huge prizes here those are usually handled outside the regular scope of blogging)?

9. Do you like having guest authors visit and answer questions about their books and where to get but or do you just skip over it when you see a guest author posting?

10. Finally and here's the big one: What would you like to see on the Plotting Princesses blog that we're not currently doing.

Here's you chance. Tell us what we can do to help make the site better, improve the content and keep you coming back every Tuesday and Thursday to spend your time with us. Let me know in the comment section.

Kathy Ivan writes hot sexy romances with lots of suspense and a dash of paranormal. She currently lives in Texas, where she'll do just about anything to avoid the heat. She's currently deep in her writing cave, plotting her next suspense-filled adventure. Her latest book, Losing Cassie, is available now.

Chris Keniston ~ Road to a Book

Road to a Book

I remember the frustration at reading another bestselling author tell the story of inseparable childhood friends who drifted apart through the years and reunited after some personal crisis.  As a woman who has maintained friendships with her best friends from school through the decades and across the states, I felt cheated.
So, fingers at the keyboard, I decided to write a book about women whose friendship withstood time and distance.  Since I am a total pantser (an author who writes by the seat of her pants), all I knew at this point was that I had to have:  at least three friends, a problem, a handsome hero, and a solution that will take 100,000 words to find!  Oof I typed!
And typed.
The fun thing about being a pantser is I'm as anxious to finish a book as my readers because I don't know how things will end until I get there. After months of typing, the input of many a critique partner, beta reader, advisor, editor, and even the occasional bark of approval from my four legged supporters, a book was born.
First title. All for One.  Seemed fitting to follow the Three Musketeers, plus one.  And the book finaled and won contests under that name. But alas, those in the know insisted the title was too boring. So we moved on to the second title: When the Bough Breaks. Seemed fitting to have a lullaby verse. With that title the book finaled in the prestigious Golden Heart contest.  But alas, those in the know insisted it was still not right. Sigh.
Finally, I turned to my Plotting Princess friends. After all, the book is about friendship, support, and happily ever after. And the third and final title: The Champagne Sisterhood. (Tthank you, Liese.)
Now, we move on to book covers--oh dear.  A romantic women's fiction story in the vein of Robyn Carr, Susan Wiggs, and Emily March, what to put on the cover?  Hunks sell books. My contemporary romance Aloha Texas is a great example of how a dapper (no, I'm not that old!) cover can help an author appeal to new readers. But the Champagne Sisterhood isn't about a hunk. Well, not all of it anyhow. So hunk is out. What about a couple? That also sells books. But the book is about more than the budding romance of two people. 
So moving on, we decided a picture background is more appropriate. Set in suburban San Francisco, what could be better than the Golden Gate Bridge? 





Like the title, I was told it didn't tell much about the book. So on to the next one. Champagne in the title champagne should be on the cover. Right?



But, by now my other two romantic women's fiction titles have a completely different cover style. So back to the drawing board, and finally, we have the cover to be released on August 25th -  
 
You can find out more about the Champagne Sisterhood, including an excerpt of Chapter One, at my website: http://www.Chriskeniston.com .

@VickiBatman ~ Does Music and Memories go Hand in Hand?

~And I Love Her~
Music and memories go hand in hand. The other day, I clicked on an easy-listening iTunes playlist I'd created, and the Beatles' song, And I Love Her, came up.   http://www.beatlesbible.com/songs/and...  
Once upon a time, I was a young single chick and was intrigued by several guys. I went on a casual night out with a friend I had stirrings of feelings for. I think he did too, but was afraid to act on them.
So we went to a show, and afterwards, we drove around town with the windows down. I pushed my long hair out of my eyes and let the moment take me away. At the end of the evening, this song came on. He turned to me and sang the whole thing. I part of me wanted to believe this meant more than just singing a song. But I'll never know. He didn't kiss me good night or utter another word. He dropped me off and drove away.
Not long after, I met another who chased me until he caught me. He couldn't and can't sing well, but he tries. LOL
Obviously, this was a strong memory because I remember it blanket-blank years later. And hearing the song makes me wonder whatever happened to that boy and a bit wonders what might have been.
Do you have a song that holds special memories for you?  

Vicki Batman has had too much diet Coke today and switched to water while reminiscing over old tunes. Find her at: http://vickibatman.blogspot.com OR at http://plottingprincesses.blogspot.com. Find her funny short story collection, Little Birdie Who…and Other Stories at: Amazon - http://bookshow.me/B00AYOT9GS      
 
 
http://www.beatlesbible.com/songs/and...

Michelle Miles: The Slobs of America & Haute Obscure

I was watching a CBS Sunday Morning episode a few weeks ago and they had a spot about how America has turned into a bunch of slobs. I admit I was riveted to the piece because I couldn’t agree more. When did it become okay to wear pajamas and slippers to the grocery store? Or ripped up jeans? And, along the same lines, there was a photo posted on Facebook of a woman wearing jeans that looked like they’d gone through a paper shredder. I think the comment was something along the lines of how silly she looked and how “fashion went wrong.” The woman also wore one of those tank tops with her bra straps hanging out. This is a pet peeve of mine. I detest seeing women or girls running around in public with their bras and bra straps showing. This is not a peep show, ladies. It’s not sexy or cute. Please cover up. And I dislike short-shorts, too. For the very obvious reasons that your butt cheeks hanging out is also NOT CUTE. And PJs at the store? Come on. There’s a college course at Notre Dame taught by professor of history and master dressmaker, Linda Przybyszewski, called “Nation of Slobs: The Art, Ethics and Economics of Dress in Modern America.” The professor is quite passionate about teaching the proper form of dress and is very quietly trying to remove the slobs of America. I applaud her. I applaud that she makes every stitch of clothing she wears and that she uses vintage 1940s and 1950s patterns to do it.
I would totally take this class. I would love to see all her vintage patterns. I’m not saying we should never leave the house without a hat and gloves. Remember when girls wore those? But maybe put in a little effort? One of the college girls on the show said she laughed when she saw a fellow student in the dining hall wearing PJs…and makeup. So the girl had time to put on makeup but NOT actual, real clothes? I have another fashion pet peeve: flip-flops. I love mine as much as most people. But at the beach. Or watering the yard. Not in the office. I work in a fairly business casual (sometimes that’s stretching it) office and 90 percent of the women who work there wear flip-flops. Just cuz they have bling on them doesn’t make them appropriate. And the attire? Sometimes I want to ask these women if they were planning to go the disco after work. And clogs. Don’t get me started. They are NOT office appropriate. Granted, I don’t dress up like I used to. I don’t wear skirts as much as I should. And I’ve all but abandoned the idea of 4-inch heels. My feet just can’t take it anymore. My point is – can we go back to simple dressing? Something that isn’t PJs or holey clothes or bra straps hanging out? Wearing appropriate foot attire? Can you tell it eats at me? And while I’m on the subject of fashion…I was browsing Dictionary.Com’s app the other day and ran across “Haute Obscure: 8 Terms for Fashions Gone Extinct.” I laughed at some of the fashions but then found myself longing for a gown with a bustle. And a parasol. And gloves.
Let’s play a game. Let’s see if you can match the word with the definition. If you get anywhere from 6 out of 8 to 8 out of 8 right, I will give you a copy of any of my backlist in ebook. :) Match the Word with the DefinitionExample: 1 – A; 2 – B etc (these are NOT the answers, merely an example) 1. Pannier2. Bustle3. Merry Widow4. Jabot5. Houppelande6. Wimple7. Hennin8. Hobble Skirt A. Elaborately decorated hats B. A garment covering the neck and chin worm by women throughout medieval Europe as a sign of modesty C. A long skirt that emerged toward the end of the Edwardian era that was so narrow at the bottom, the wearer had to walk with short, mincing steps D. A long robe or tunic with billowing sleeves and often trimmed or lined with fur E. A decorative burst of lace or ruffles around the neck. Worn by pirates. ARRRRGH! F. To achieve a dramatic hourglass figure of a corseted waist and fullness at hips, women began padding the banks of their skirts with THIS rather than the sides G. An oval framework made of whalebone or cane worn under the skirt to achieve a mile-wide silhouette. H. A pointy hat worn by European noblewomen in the Middle Ages Michelle Miles writes contemporary, paranormal and fantasy romance for Ellora's Cave and Samhain Publishing. She hates exposed bra straps and flip flops in the office environment. For more information about her books, visit her website.

Social Media by Karilyn Bentley

#writing #social media

I love this sign! And what does it have to do with my blog today? Um, nothing much, but it cracks me up and is so true. Rather reminds me of a product I used to use, a shower cleaner where a bottle of cleaner went in a battery-powered holder. Push a button and voila, spray comes out and cleans your shower. Since this meant less work for me, I bought one as soon as it came out. Pretty soon I started noticing a warning on the bottle: This is not a body wash. Nah, REALLY? Can you picture that? Someone jumping in the shower, pushing the button and thinking the chemical cleaner would clean their body? Cracks me up. And what about the Do Not Use In Shower tags on hairdryers? Didn't we learn that electricity + water = very bad in Kindergarten?? Stupidity knows no limits.

Anyway, on to my take on social media. Does it help? Of course it does. Can you find readers in social media land? Sure you can. But this blog is for those of us who get shivers when we think of getting out there and marketing and promoting. Now, I know I'm not the only author out there that has to suck it up and promote even though I'd rather be reading or writing or even hand scrubbing the shower. Lots of other things to do besides try to come up with ideas for social media. And there are plenty of blogs, etc. about what to share/write about in online digital land.

My fear of these things probably goes all the way back to when I was a kid. I distinctly remember being all of three and having a crush on one of my friends. I begged and begged and begged Mom to invite little Timmy over to play. So she did. Timmy and his sisters and his mom all came over. At that point I became mortified that Timmy would know I had a crush on him. Mortified. So I hid under the couch, crammed my three year old self in with the dust bunnies and refused to come out. From my hiding spot I watched Timmy and his sisters play with my toys while Mom and his mom chatted. This pretty much summed up my toddler years as I have many memories of hiding when people came over. Can you spell introvert?

Yep, I turned into one of those kids that would pass by a wallet full of money because it wasn't my wallet and picking it up meant I'd have to deal with a person so it was just better to walk right on by and leave it there. I did grow out of that. If I see a wallet now, I turn it in to security or the police or someone. Not like I've seen any wallets lying around or anything. But I feel obliged to throw that out there since rereading this makes me sound rather, um, odd. Or as I insist, I'm not odd, just special. <g> And yes, this behavior carries over into the land of social media. I really just want to walk right on by and hope it all goes away or someone else feels pity upon me and magically poofs content onto my social media pages.

This has yet to happen.

Which means I'm stuck sucking it up. After all, you can't make a living as an author if you're not willing to promote the heck out of your books. That is the way of the writing world nowadays and even though I'd rather hide under my laptop than type some pithy remark in an effort to get more likes and follows and boost my rating, sticking my head in the sand is not a good way of going through life. Eventually something will bite me on the butt if I'm not watching.

Does anyone else feel this way? Any suggestions from one hiding-under-the-desk-avoider to another? Besides suck it up, girlfriend? If so, please let me know! I'm all ears (or eyes as the case may be).

Oh, and if I don't answer, it's not b/c I'm ignoring you. Today I have a work conference and am on my phone. Which means internet depends on the cell provider in the cell-signal-blocking hotel and limits me to frantic log-ins in the ladies' room stall. <g> Kathy promised to help out so give her a hand and lots of thanks!

www.karilynbentley.com
Magical Lover - Can Thoren convince Keara she is his lifemate or will her secret talent be the wedge that drives them apart?
Warrior Lover - Will he choose his people? Or the other half of his soul?

#Plotting Princesses: Newsletter is out with great articles by great writers

 

Articles by:

Elizabeth Essex
Pamela Stone
Phyllis Middleton

And the newest PP is: Barb Han

 Connect with our newsletter at: http://ymlp.com/archive_guusjyegjge.php

Linda Steinberg: Why I Joined the Revolution

 WHY I JOINED THE REVOLUTION


There’s a revolution going on in the publishing world. In just a few short years, e-book sales, especially in the romance genre, have climbed to almost fifty percent of the market. Brick and mortar book stores are closing, and those remaining are limiting their book shelf space. And authors are proudly publishing their own books.

When I first started writing, self-publishing was called ‘vanity’ publishing. If a writer was desperate enough to see her name on a book cover, she (or he) could pay to have their book printed, and sell it out of the trunk of their car. But these writers were not considered ‘real’ authors. A ‘serious’ writer waited months, years, to hear back from some New York publishing house hoping to win the brass ring—a publishing contract.
I was one of those few. I sold the first book I ever submitted to the first house I sent it to. Lucky? Absolutely. Sure, I had a good book. But I was also in the right place at the right time. A new line was opening, and I just happened to have a book that fit it.
Unfortunately, that line folded. And the stars have never aligned quite so perfectly for me since. But I’ve never stopped writing. Or believing that there’s a market for what I write, if only I could make my books available to readers.
Why did I decide to join the Indie Revolution? Of course, for the usual reasons.
I wanted to see my books out there again. For as long as I wanted them out there. Giving them time to find a following.
But there’s another, less selfish reason: I believe in the revolution.
I believe in the empowerment of the author. I believe that the person who creates the product has the right to control all aspects of it. Cover art, format, editing. Distribution. Promotion. You can do some of the work yourself to save on expenses, or you can hire experts. Who work for you.
My cover artist did a phenomenal job of designing my first book cover (see below), but she worked with my vision. And willingly tweaked each draft until I was completely satisfied. Squee! That’s exciting.
So, allow me to plug my book (You knew that was coming, right?)
The French Deception is a romantic suspense novel set in Paris. It involves stolen identity, a terrorist bombing, both good guys and bad guys chasing the wrong suspect, and oh, yes, did I mention romance? At the top of the Eiffel Tower? It’s available now on Amazon and most other e-platform. Or use the Buy links on my website, www.lindasteinberg.com. I’ve included an excerpt from the book below. And in honor of my first week live online, I’m giving away a free copy to someone who posts here today.
 


Excerpt from The French Deception
Late! Paul Bernard dashed out of the Metro station and bolted up rue de Faubourg de St Honore toward the British Embassy, holding his jacket over his head to ward off the light morning mist.
Just as he got to the corner the traffic light changed. Bloody hell! Paul shifted his weight impatiently from one foot to the other as Smart cars, bicycles and the occasional luxury sedan swooshed past him, dodging potholes and pedestrians. He was way past due at work, thanks to an unexpected but very pleasurable morning romp in the sack.
He’d woken when it was still dark to Colette’s arousing hand on his pecker, and half-dreamed her riding astride his responding erection. After the brief but immensely satisfying encounter, she’d rolled out of bed to shower and dress before hurrying off to an early call for an important audition. “You don’t have to get up yet,” she’d said in her bedroom voice, kissing his ear. “Go back to sleep.”
And he had. So blissfully knackered that he’d slept past his alarm, so dead to the world he didn’t even remember hearing it ring. He smiled, thanking whatever beneficent force had seen fit to bestow upon a mild-mannered computer geek the favors of that incredibly sexy French coquette.
The crowd of pedestrians shoved at him from behind and Paul stepped off the curb. Blinding light flashed and a deafening boom sent shockwaves strong enough to knock him backwards. Debris flew past, burning chunks of plasterboard and metal. The dark, billowing smoke twined around his neck, thick and choking.
Paul blinked and wiped the soot from his eyes. He stared at the British Embassy, half destroyed, in flames.
Someone had bombed his bloody offices. And if he’d gotten to work just five minutes earlier...he could be dead. 

Publishing your own book is scary. And a lot of work. But it’s also quite fulfilling, and yes, it’s fun. Someone once described me as ‘adventurous,’ and hell, yes, this is an adventure.
Have you joined the revolution yet? As a reader, you almost certainly have. Do you buy more of your books online or in bookstores? Are you more likely to take a chance on a new author because e-books are more affordable? Do you care or even notice if a book you’re considering purchasing is published by the author or a major publishing house?
Vive la Revolucion!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

#PlottingPrincesses welcome author Jaye Garland who takes us to THE 25TH HOUR

The Plotting Princesses welcome special guest, Jaye Garland, for an author interview today.  Take it away, Jaye!
How did you get from your day job to writing romance?   The writing bug hit me when I was a young, stay-at-home-mom, but it didn’t take long to realize I had a lot to learn about getting the story that was in my head down on paper in such a manner that it made sense to the reader. Time passed. The kiddos grew up and one day the Hubster and I found ourselves living in Saudi Arabia. (Houston area is home, and he’s in the oil business.) I turned my time overseas into my very own graduate program on writing. We didn’t have Internet access the first four years, so those How-To books were my lifeline. When we repatriated, I came home with about 12 manuscripts in various stages of completion—and one full manuscript. Then, it was back to the day job. So, I kind of did things in reverse.  
 

What are your three favorite books of all time? Without getting preachy, The Bible is a solid foundation for a good lifestyle. And, the stories are phenomenal.  The novel that got me hooked on Romance is The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. You know it’s a good book if you get to read it free, and then go out to buy your own copy. I just finished the ARC for Susan C. Muller’s The Witch on Twisted Oak-- “Could-Not-Put-It-Down.”

Morning, afternoon, or evening person? When left to function on my own schedule [no day job, kids, etc.], I tend to get seriously involved in my personal projects [writing and all that’s related to it] mid-afternoon, and have been known to stay up till 3-4 AM.

Music--with or without? What kind? When I’m cleaning house, I want music--the sound tracks of Quigley Down Under, Medicine Man, and The Last of the Mohicans. When I’m writing, I need vast quantities of solitude.

First or third POV? Third, for both reading and writing. I like the full range of perspective from both the hero and heroine. 

How's tricks? Do you juggle multiple projects? Multiple projects, or I’d never get anything done. Something is always in the hopper!

What's harder: beginning, middle, or the end? Each has its pros and cons, but I’d have to go with the beginnings.

How did you come up with that title?  Best advice anybody ever gave you? The best advice I ever received was “Never quit.” Over the years, I’ve heard those words many times in this industry and the years of hard work have paid off. 

In THE 25th HOUR, which is a time travel romance, I was free-writing a scene where the heroine and the hero’s neighbor, Sarah, were confiding in each other.

“Alexander is just ensuring his daughter’s future by doing his best by her now. He’s learned there are no tomorrows.”
Sheridan had to agree, but wanted to add another truth to what Sarah had said. In her case, there just might be a place for second chances. 
Sheridan’s tomorrow might be right here in the past—right now. Here, in that extra hour of twilight wedged between her current day and his long-ago era. Here, in the twenty-fifth hour of infinity. Here, with Alexander and Angel Rose. 


Fill in this blank: My ideal fictional hero would think me gorgeous no matter…

…what happens, on any occasion, and when I’m at my absolute worst. That includes when I’m snoring. Ha!

What's your favorite dessert?  Just had the most incredible Flan at Lupe Tortilla’s.

Do you write at home or someplace else? At home, but two or three times a year, my critique partners and I head out to some out-of-the-way writing retreat. We have a boat load of fun, but we get serious writing done then, too.

What's your favorite type of hero/heroine and why? I’ll be honest. I’ve had occasional flings with Medieval heroes, enjoyed a romp or two with the Georgian hunks, and flirted with some Regency hotties. But, I keep coming back to my warm-hearted American Western cowboys. It’s true. You can take the girl off the ranch, but you can’t take the ranch out of the girl. Besides, you can’t beat the scenery out west. Especially when there’s a man on a horse galloping between you and the horizon.

Here's an excerpt for The 25th Hour:

Her mind fought for control. He called her name but his voice echoed like jungle drums against the ever darkening, spinning tunnel. In a desperate lunge for sanctuary, she reached for his outstretched hand. Gibbs Wannabe grabbed her wrist, but his touch felt hot, like flames licking her skin, and he fell along with her into the abyss. 

Clawing against the fiery rip current, she willed air into her lungs just as an electric flash blinded her. Petrified he’d push her farther into the darkening whirlpool, she wrenched free of his grasp, and a dark cloud of eraser leavings swirled between them. 

Together, she and the salt-and-pepper Gibbs Wannabe tumbled through the blueprints, down through her portable workstation, and on through all things material—passing one another, yet never again connecting—through a vortex void of light, texture, and sound. 
Silence roared in her ears as she collapsed into utter darkness, and her world fell away.

Find Jaye at: www.jayegarland.wordpress.com
Find The 25th Hour at: http://tinyurl.com/oxjfa7t

Thanks, Jaye, for being with the PP today!